The Buffalo Bills have gone through some big changes on offense this offseason, losing their top two wide receivers with the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
The team’s top returning wide receiver sees an opportunity in the situation. After a breakout season in 2023, Khalil Shakir predicted the Bills will have an offense where “everybody eats” next season, led by new offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
New Role for Khalil Shakir
After spending his first two seasons in Buffalo firmly entrenched behind Diggs and Davis on the depth chart, Shakir is expected to be one of the major pieces next season. Brady, who took over as offensive coordinator after the Bills fired Ken Dorsey midseason, said he is impressed with Shakir’s instincts on the field.
Brady stated, via Matt Bove of WKBW, “The intelligence that I talk about is Khalil Shakir,” during OTAs. “He’s everything you look for in a wide receiver—he can play inside or outside, he understands man coverage, and he feels the zones when he’s out there.”
As Bove pointed out, Shakir’s output increased significantly once Brady assumed leadership. He outperformed the struggling Diggs in the last seven games of the regular season, hauling in 30 passes for 438 yards and two touchdowns. In the team’s two playoff games the previous season, Shakir recorded 10 receptions for 75 yards and two scores, demonstrating his ongoing excellence in the postseason.
Shakir said this week that he enjoyed playing under Brady and was looking forward to a full season with him at the helm.
“When you’re a new guy and you come in, it’s like you hit the jackpot,” Shakir said. “He’s a great dude, great coach, and you want to work hard for him.”
Bills Expected to Spread Targets Next Season
As Shakir hinted, the Bills are expected to spread the ball out more after the departures of Diggs and Davis. The team added some veteran pass-catchers, including wide receivers Chase Claypool, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Curtis Samuel.
Tight end Dalton Kincaid is also expected to take on a big role, building on a rookie season where he made 73 catches for 673 yards and two touchdowns. Talking to reporters this week, Kincaid echoed Shakir’s prediction that the team will spread the ball to many players next season.
“I wouldn’t say I’m the guy. I think we have quite a bit of weapons on offense,” he said, via SB Nation’s Rachel Auberger. “You know, we’re going to let everyone go, and Josh will get the ball back to everyone.” It will be good to have a few additional goals this year, I believe.
Kincaid also expressed some optimism about playing for a full season under Brady, who was relieved of his interim designation and appointed offensive coordinator following the season.
“We’ve made a lot of adjustments since last year, but I wouldn’t say [it changed] a ton,” Kincaid said. “I think it’s really helpful that he has the creativity and freedom to just try things out right now.”
